2nd March 2022. The National Coastwatch Institution has plans to establish a permanent station at Brancaster in time for Easter, it was announced by the Eastern Daily Press. It is now recruiting volunteers to staff the new station, to keep watch on beaches and inshore waters, monitor radio channels, provide a listening watch in poor visibility and deal with emergencies. The station, which will join the five established sites in Norfolk, will be based near the sea wall in the grounds of the Royal West Norfolk Golf Club.

Acting station manager John Allen said: "“We are now looking for volunteers who can commit to carry out a minimum of one three-hour watch per week. No previous experience is required, just enthusiasm and a commitment to work as part of a team. We've got people from all walks of life - professionals, shop workers, builders. It's just the enthusiasm we need."

An NCI spokesperson said: "High technology and sophisticated systems such as radar and telecommunications have vastly improved safety at sea, but there is no substitute for a watchful pair of eyes. Accidents do happen and a computer or technology cannot spot a distress flare, an overturned boat, a yacht with problems, a water sports enthusiast in difficulty, or children or adults in trouble, or possible pollution incidents. This is why our lookouts and watchkeepers are an important service provider to all those who use our coastal waters, footpaths and coastline." 

Recent incidents involving Coastwatch include a vessel slipping its anchor off Cromer and children climbing dangerously on the town's cliffs. At Wells, watchers reported a vessel which had run aground, people cut off by the tide and a dog with a broken leg.

(This article was originally published on 2nd March 2022 by the Eastern Daily Press)